Difference between revisions of "Solar concentrator"
(maintenance effort) |
(radiation effects and counter measures) |
||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
===Mirrors=== | ===Mirrors=== | ||
| − | Fields of [[mirrors]] are used in some concentrated solar facilities on Earth. The individual mirrors rotate to track the sun. | + | Fields of [[mirrors]] are used in some concentrated solar facilities on Earth. The individual mirrors rotate to track the sun. The construction can be made light weight from polymers, e.g. Mylar and Hostephan. Computer simulations of [[radiation]] damage have shown that an aluminium covering of at least 0.1 mm thickness is necessary. |
===Fiber Optics=== | ===Fiber Optics=== | ||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
==Maintenance effort== | ==Maintenance effort== | ||
| − | The cosmic and solar [[radiation]] causes damage upon the concentrator mirrors. A lifetime of 10 years is assumed, thereafter the mirrors have to be replaced. | + | The cosmic and solar [[radiation]] causes damage upon the concentrator mirrors. The particle bombardment causes blistering and foil carbonization. A lifetime of 10 years is assumed, thereafter the mirrors have to be replaced. |
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 12:20, 9 January 2009
A solar concentrator concentrates the power of the sun onto a small area. This energy is harnessed in a variety of ways. For example, a system called SCARLET is currently flying on Deep Space I.
Contents
Designs
Lenses
A variety of lense designs are used to concentrate sunlight. A lense may be a simple piece of curved glass or plastic, or a complex Fresnel lense.
Mirrors
Fields of mirrors are used in some concentrated solar facilities on Earth. The individual mirrors rotate to track the sun. The construction can be made light weight from polymers, e.g. Mylar and Hostephan. Computer simulations of radiation damage have shown that an aluminium covering of at least 0.1 mm thickness is necessary.
Fiber Optics
Utilization of Focused Solar Radiation
Photovoltaics
Solar concentrators are often used in conjunction with solar panels to increase the panel's output. This maximizes the efficiency of a limited number of solar panels.
Thermal Engines
The energy of the sun can boil liquids, causing changes in pressure. These pressure changes are harnessed by thermal engines. It is likely that liquids other than water will be used, due to the low temperatures on the surface. Common thermal engine designs include the Sterling engine and the steam engine.
Thermoelectric Generators
Thermoelectric materials convert heat into electricity.
Photosynthesis
Greenhouses are a good target for solar concentration. The natural sunlight on Mars is less than half that on Earth.
Lighting
Concentrated sunlight can be used to light settlements during the day.
Dangers
Concentrated solar radiation can become hazardous in some situations.
Radiation Damage
If solar radiation is concentrated for use in greenhouses or settlements, the harmful parts of the electromagnetic spectrum need to be filtered.
Vision Damage
Looking directly into concentrated sunlight can damage vision.
Heat Damage
Objects passing through the focus of a solar concentrator can be exposed to intense light and extremely high temperatures.
Maintenance effort
The cosmic and solar radiation causes damage upon the concentrator mirrors. The particle bombardment causes blistering and foil carbonization. A lifetime of 10 years is assumed, thereafter the mirrors have to be replaced.
